OT : Hot Water Heater

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:49 pm

Hey Guys..

I have a question. I'm fixing to buy a new hot water heater. I hardly EVER use any hot water.. Washing dishes, and laundry and just a tad when I shower as I don't care for hot water. There is a $20 price difference between a 30 gallon Hot Water heater and a 40 gallon hot water heater. I'm wondering if anybody thinks I'll have any problems with the smaller 30 gallon hot water heater? I sure hope it will save electricity. Right now there is a 50 gallon hot water heater in there and I have NEVER ever ran out of hot water. Honestly, I don't see myself running out of hot water with the smaller one. Does anybody else use a smaller hot water heater? Just looking for opinions as to whether or not I'd be better off with the bigger one..

TIA

eGo

Sorry if none of the above makes sense..

renovation · Post by **renovation** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 6:10 pm

is it smaller in size or just holding size !
i go with the 40 gallon if you plan on staying there a long time - see if you should have kids you will need the extra holding amount if not just replace it with the $20 cheaper 30 gallon one !
and if you have national gas in your place i switch over to gas right now you save that extra cost in just one years of use !

nitro237 · Post by **nitro237** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 6:10 pm

30 gallon is fine for 1 shower , can suck for 2 showers , especially if 1 is a female and she has to shave her legs etc .

Go for the 40 gallon . I have a 30 and have run out a time or 2 when the gf took too long

or , shower together :chug

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 6:18 pm

Originally posted by nitro237
shower together :chug

You mean you shower alone?!?!

he he..

It's really just me using the shower. Two or three times a month the two of us are together using it.

Bellringer, I'd go with gas, but down here it's a ripoff. At least in my opinion. Last time I had gas my gas bill was ALWAYS at least $100 a month and so far my electric bill has been $150 a month.. So there's no sense in switching over.

eGo

Walleye · Post by **Walleye** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 6:23 pm

hmm... have you thought about an on demand water heater? they're a LOT more energy efficient

small space, and never really run out of hot water.

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 6:46 pm

Originally posted by Walleye
hmm... have you thought about an on demand water heater? they're a LOT more energy efficient small space, and never really run out of hot water.

Yea i was gonna say get one of them instant heaters. no tank, so its like an infinate heater.

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 6:50 pm

Originally posted by Pugsley
Yea i was gonna say get one of them instant heaters. no tank, so its like an infinate heater.

They're great.. But cost twice as much.. I'm probably just gonna put this one on a timer too.. No sense in it keeping water hot from 12 at night till 3:30 the next day as I'm at work and sleeping..

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 7:47 pm

For the resellability of your house, I would suggest you go with a 40 gallon.

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 8:28 pm

Puttin a timer on it would be bad.. then the water will cool off.. then all the enegry that will be needed to bring it back up to temp.. your better off leaving it just set low then on a timer.

renovation · Post by **renovation** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 8:43 pm

Originally posted by Pugsley
Putting a timer on it would be bad.. then the water will cool off.. then all the energy that will be needed to bring it back up to temp.. your better off leaving it just set low then on a timer.

pugsley 100% on this no timer -it will also help to lower the life span of the unit

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 8:49 pm

Originally posted by bellringer
pugsley 100% on this no timer -it will also help to lower the life span of the unit

I don't understand why they make timers for hot water heaters then? These newer hot water heaters have a recovery time of 20.7gph it would only take two hours to heat the water back up. I realize that's a great deal of power. But overall, wouldn't it only running 8 hours a day instead of 24 be better than running all the time? I hate to act like I don't believe what you're saying, I just want to understand. Sorry if I'm annoying.. :B

eGo

renovation · Post by **renovation** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 9:13 pm

the heating elements are not design to have the power turner completely off !
the rate your reading is time to heat up that amount of water to min temp. !

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 9:33 pm

Get the 40 gallon and set the temperature really low if it's not used that much.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 10:03 pm

Timers work fine IF you use a thermal blanket on the heater. When I lived alone I saved a LOT of money using a timer - I only needed hot water 2 hours in the morning and 2 hrs at night.

The timer thing didn't work out with the wife - she can't shower on a schedule.

The_Frapster · Post by **The_Frapster** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 11:03 pm

Originally posted by FlyingPenguin
The timer thing didn't work out with the wife - she can't shower on a schedule.

Damn woman, always putting a wrench into the gears.

Anyways, yes the on demand water heaters cost more, but supposedly are more energy effiecient the the water tanks since your only heating the water when you use it, rather then 8-24 hours a day.